Restorative Engagement Program on Systemic Racism
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Introduction
From October 2025 to April 2026, the Defence Community Support and Resource Centre (DCSRC), formerly known as Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC), held consultations with current and former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, including Veterans, who experienced racial discrimination or racial harassment during their military service between April 17, 1985, and January 10, 2025.
The consultations were conducted virtually and included 15 group sessions, 5 individual sessions, and 2 written submissions. Participants shared insights and recommendations on how the Restorative Engagement (RE) program on systemic racism can better meet the needs of Indigenous, Black, and racialized peoples.
This report summarizes the key themes raised during these consultations.
What we heard
Participants highlighted the following key themes:
Trust and Psychological Safety
- Use a believe‑first and trauma‑informed approach
- Create a psychologically safe environment that protects confidentiality as power imbalances and fear of reprisal may affect participation
- Offer trauma-informed supports before, during, and after engagements
- Select Restorative practitioners and Defence representatives with a demonstrated commitment to inclusion and culture change.
- Equip them with training and education on trauma-informed approaches, anti-racism, and restorative practices.
Leadership Accountability
- Position the RE program on systemic racism as a shared responsibility across the organization, led by senior leadership
- Openly acknowledge and speak out against racism
- Take concrete action
- Provide regular updates on progress
Barriers to Participation
- Recognize and understand barriers that affect Class Members’ ability to participate in the RE Program on Systemic Racism:
- Institutional barriers: organizational hierarchies and policies that discourage open discussion about racism
- Operational barriers: heavy workloads, postings, deployments, and limited access
- Cultural barriers: norms, attitudes, and interpersonal dynamics that affect how racism is perceived and addressed
- To address these barriers:
- Provide clear direction across the CAF
- Use existing advisory groups to support participation
- Support meaningful engagements that lead to concrete action
- Provide update on outcomes
Honouring Diversity in Culture and Identity
- Hold space for cultural practices by recognizing customs, providing space for prayer, and accommodating different communication styles
- Conduct meaningful land acknowledgements
- Recognize the experiences and contributions of Indigenous, Black, and racialized peoples in the CAF. This honours their identities and histories and supports truth-telling, respect, and greater visibility
Communicating with Class Members
- Share information and updates in a trauma‑informed, clear and accessible way
- Communicate with care and sensitivity recognizing that the subject matter may be difficult or emotional
- Explain each step of the process
- Share materials in advance and in different formats, such as web and email
Measuring and Demonstrating Success
Participants recommended using various methods to measure progress, including open-ended feedback forms, surveys, and discussions. They shared recommended indicators, such as:
- Changes over time in the perceptions of inclusion, psychological safety, and trust
- Integration of restorative and inclusive practices into long-term policies and culture
- Recruitment and retention of Indigenous, Black, and racialized CAF members
- Ongoing engagement and dialogue regarding systemic racism, beyond the RE Program
What we have done and next steps
Your input helps us shape the RE program on systemic racism and has been shared with the design team.
For future updates, please visit the Restorative Engagement on Systemic Racism page on Canada.ca.
Acknowledgement
We extend our gratitude to all participants for having volunteered their time, and for their openness in sharing their insights and expertise.
Your input plays an important role in shaping our approach. We are committed to keeping the Defence community informed about how your feedback is influencing our programs.
Contact us
For questions about this session, contact us at SMSRC.Partnerships-Partenariats.CSRIS@forces.gc.ca.
You can also contact DND.SMSRC-CSRIS.MDN@forces.gc.ca or the DCRSC confidential 24/7 line at 1-844-750-1648.